. Here she creates an impression from the start as the seriously weird Kinki Kwok, who's transferred to the department of super-salesman Andy Cheung (Lau) on the day her boyfriend dumps her.
Losing it in the office, she's given a month's notice by the hard-driven Andy, but events soon conspire to throw the two together during a business trip in China.
The funny-sad love story stumbles along with neither acknowledging the mutual attraction: Andy's ex (Fiona Leung) turns up and starts making eyes in his direction again, and Kinki appears to fall for a dot.com rich kid (Raymond Wong). Meanwhile, a rival salesman (Lam Suet) is planning Andy's demise in cahoots with the firm's overall boss (Hui Siu-hung).
To and scripter-helmer Wai Ka-fai ("Too Many Ways to Be No. 1") have worked together on many Milkyway movies. Their contributions, as well as those of behind-camera talent, including regulars like composer Cacine Wong and cinematographer Cheng Siu-keung, blend seamlessly.
Touches like Kinki's comically dysfunctional family are typically offbeat, and the way in which supporting characters are sharply drawn also steers the picture away from being just a star-duo vehicle.
With: Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng, Fiona Leung, Raymond Wong, Hui Siu-hung, Florence Kwok, Lam Suet, Kenny Kung, Sylvia Lai, Hoi Chun-kit, Andy Tse, May Fu, Englie Kwok, Vanessa Chu, Terence Lam, Sheron Cheung. A China Star Entertainment Group release of a China Star/One Hundred Years of Film Co. presentation of a Milkyway Image (HK) production. (International sales: China Star, H.K.) Produced by Charles Heung. Executive producers, Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai. Executive in charge of production, Catherine Chan.
Directed by Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai. Executive director, Law Wing-cheong. Screenplay, Wai, Yau Nai-hoi; story, Cindy Tang. Camera (color), Cheng Siu-keung; editor, Law; music, Cacine Wong; art director, Jerome Fung; costume designer, Silver Cheung; sound, Anthony Kwok. Reviewed on videodisc, London, Nov. 11, 2000. (In Hawaii Film Festival.)
By Derek Elley
Reuters/Variety
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